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to a splint that would prevent him from bending his knee, and he agreed to use a crutch. With this protection and the help of two sturdy menservants, he was got down the stairs in time to break his fast with the guests. As was natural, his arrival was greeted with loud and ribald jests about his reluctance to yield up his single state for married blessedness. Several warm offers to take his place were proposed, and various inducements were offered to Alinor to throw over so reluctant a groom and choose one more eager. |
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To the company's huge delight, this brought Adam to his stepfather's defense. He bounded up from where the young people were seated and proclaimed sturdily that Lord Ian did wish to marry his mother. Lord Ian had said so, and he was no liar. What was more, Adam insisted pugnaciously, Lord Ian had been occupied upon his mother's business, and that was what made him late. Ian's voice, gravely thanking his ardent supporter, overrode various sounds of strangulation as the good-natured crowd smothered its amusement. Satisfied at routing the enemy, Adam returned to his proper place again, but that was the end of that sort of joke. Whatever animosities those in the group had for one another, few were directed at the bride and groom and, even if small spites that could be relieved by a jest existed, no one wished to distress Alinor's children. |
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Unfortunately, the next shafts of humor were less harmless. It started innocently enough with Robert of Leicester rolling his goblet of wine between his hands and complimenting Ian on the entertainment they were being offered. Ian raised a quizzical brow, unsure of whether this was a sincere compliment directed at Alinor or a prelude to some teasing remark. The lively, laughing Robert of Leicester seemed to be unlike his father, who had been a grave, ponderous man, slow of movement (except on the battlefield) and heavy of appearance. In actuality, both had the same keen, quick |
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